Tel Aviv [Israel], December 11: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has denied reports suggesting that its troops are operating beyond the buffer zone along the Israel-Syrian border. The clarification comes amid heightened tensions following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s government in Syria.
“Reports circulating in some media outlets claiming that IDF forces are advancing or approaching Damascus are completely incorrect,” tweeted Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson. “IDF forces are present inside the buffer zone and at defensive points close to the border to protect the Israeli border.”
Col. Adraee’s statement contradicts a Reuters report alleging that Israeli forces had reached Qatana, a southern Syrian village 10 km inside Syria and within 25 km of Damascus.
IDF Deployment in Buffer Zone
After the collapse of the Syrian government on Sunday, Israel deployed forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the Israeli border. This move was coordinated with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has been overseeing the Israel-Syria ceasefire since 1974.
The IDF emphasized that the deployment in the demilitarized zone is not intended to be permanent but is aimed at securing the border during this volatile period.
Israeli Airstrikes in Syria
The Israeli Air Force has been conducting targeted strikes on Syrian military facilities, arms depots, airbases, and naval sites to prevent advanced weapons and assets from falling into the hands of Islamist rebels. Key targets include:
- Facilities producing chemical weapons and precision missiles.
- Sites used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah for arms smuggling into Lebanon.
Reports indicate that Israel hit 300 targets in just two days as part of these operations.
Outreach to Syrian Minorities
Israel has also begun outreach efforts to Syrian minorities, including Druze communities in southern Syria and Syrian Kurds, as part of its broader strategy in the region.
Historical Context
The 235 sq km buffer zone was established in 1974 following the Yom Kippur War to serve as a demilitarized area monitored by UNDOF. Sunday’s deployment marks the first time Israeli forces have set up positions in the zone.